A new furnace is an investment, so we know it can be difficult to decide when it’s the right time to replace your furnace. We never want you to wait too long and be inconvenienced by a broken heating system. That’s why we want you to be as informed as possible so that you can plan ahead.
Fortunately, Big Mountain Heating & Air has some common signs that your furnace is on its last leg to help you make the final decision.
How Long Do Furnaces Last?
Your primary concern about your furnace’s health should be how old the unit is. Like all appliances, furnaces have a finite lifespan. The lifespan can be affected to shorten or lengthen, but eventually the system will fail and need to be replaced. The average furnace lifespan is 15 to 20 years.
One of the main ways to help your system reach 20 years and over is to have furnace maintenance performed every year. Maintenance is a great time for an experienced technician to look for any worn out parts, replace broken pieces and evaluate the overall function of the unit. Annual maintenance can save you from expensive repairs down the line and is proven to push off total system replacements by several years.
When your furnace does hit 15 years it is time to start thinking about replacing it. Giving yourself time to save and plan for the investment is a great way to avoid an emergency system failure during the middle of winter.
Indicators of Furnace Replacement
If your furnace begins to exhibit any of the following problems – especially once it is in the old age range – it is important to have it evaluated and possibly replaced. Putting off these types of concerns can easily lead to an emergency situation if your unit has total system failure.
Frequent Repairs
Small minor repairs may be normal during your furnace’s life, but consistent repairs or major systems failures point to a bigger problem. Repairing the furnace may delay the problem for a while, but eventually age and wear and tear will catch up with it. At some point, you are spending more money than it’s worth to keep a deteriorating furnace alive and functioning less efficiently than it should.
Increased Energy Bills
Normal seasonal change will cause some bills to be higher in the winter or the summer. However, when your utility bills keep increasing despite no change in your heater usage the efficiency is beginning to suffer.
Lower efficiency means the system must work harder and use more energy to achieve the same result. Often, it can’t produce the same result it used to. This will cause high energy bills and raise the discomfort in your home.
Time To Replace Your Furnace?
If you’re ready for a more cost-efficient system then start thinking about a furnace replacement now. Being prepared ahead of time will save you a lot of stress, and so will the team at Big Mountain Heating & Air. We’re here to help you through the entire process. Give us a call!
